Tips for Veterans Buying a Home with VA Loan

For veterans or service members looking to buy a home with a Veterans Affairs loan, there are some extra steps to take and home condition requirements that aren’t needed with other types of loans.

The home must be safe, clean, in good condition and move-in ready, partly because the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs doesn’t want to back a loan where the military member’s finances are at risk because they have to make unexpected home repairs.

The extra work can be worthwhile. VA loans are 0.25 to 0.50 percent lower than conventional loans, don’t require a down payment or mortgage insurance, and have more flexible and forgiving requirements. Closing costs are limited and lenders fees are limited to 1 percent of the loan amount.

The government guarantees at least a quarter of the loan amount on a VA mortgage, which is why a down payment and mortgage insurance aren’t needed.
For buyers who qualify, here are some things to be aware of when buying a home with a VA loan:

Look for a move-in ready home: Homes that are structurally sound, safe and sanitary are more likely to pass the VA appraisal. The property must have adequate heating, roofing and safety features, and major issues must be repaired before the loan can close. If the VA expert has to return to reinspect something that needs to be fixed, the borrower will have to pay more inspection fees.

Be ready for an inspection: A home inspection is a normal part of buying a house, but a VA inspector will make sure the property is in good, working order. But a lot of the things they’ll be looking at are cosmetic, which a regular lender wouldn’t be concerned with. Though a VA inspection can sound like a professional home inspection, it isn’t and buyers can hire their own inspectors after the VA one if they’d like.

And more inspections: The VA also requires some inspections that other lenders don’t. A VA loan will require a pest inspection, along with a look at the septic tank, if there is one, and the water well if the property isn’t on a city water line.

Quicker timeline: VA loans have tighter timelines than other types of loans, which is why hiring a real estate agent and loan officer who have experience with VA loans can make the process smoother. Active-duty service members can have short buying windows if they’re ordered to move to another base.
I hope you found this real estate information helpful. Please contact me for all your real estate needs today!

]]>8 Steps to Buying a Homehttps://attentiverealty.com/8-steps-to-buying-a-home/
Fri, 13 Jan 2017 19:30:06 +0000http://77.104.146.87/~attent12/?p=716Step 1: Decide to Buy a Home The decision to purchase your first home is one of the biggest and best choices you could ever make. After all, a home is the largest – and most emotional – investment most people will face in their lifetime. So, how do you know if it’s the right...

The decision to purchase your first home is one of the biggest and best choices you could ever make. After all, a home is the largest – and most emotional – investment most people will face in their lifetime. So, how do you know if it’s the right time for you to buy?
There is never a wrong time to buy the right home. The key is finding the right buy and taking the time to carefully evaluate your finances.
A home purchase is an important step that can provide many advantages. Purchasing your own home is a great investment that can deliver several financial benefits – equity build up, value appreciation, automatic savings plan – not to mention a new sense of pride!

Start looking at your options today. You don’t have to know everything. Your Attentive Realty agent is ready to help you through every step of the process.

Have you decided to buy a home?Call Attentive Realty Now. (702) 562-1291

Step 2: Hire Your Agent

When you’re looking for a real estate professional to help you, know that above all else, good agents put their clients first. This is your dream, and your agent is your advocate to help you make your dream come true.

A great real estate agent will:

Educate you about the current conditions of the market.

Analyze what you want and what you need in your next home.

Co-ordinate the work of other needed professionals throughout the process.

Guide you to homes that fit your criteria and budget.

Negotiate on your behalf to get you the best deal possible.

Check and double-check paperwork and deadlines.

Inform and discuss with you, and suggest solutions to solve any problems that may arise

Above all keep in good communication with you- You have questions- we have answers and if we don’t we will get them for you.

We will never leave your side after all you are family.

Looking for a Realtor?Call Attentive Realty Now. (702) 562-1291

Step 3: Secure Financing

To make the financing process as painless as possible, ask your agent to introduce you to the preferred financing consultant. This professional will work with you and your agent to make sure the financial aspect of your home purchase is stress free.

What will the consultant do for you?

Review your current financials.

Discuss the options available to you during the home purchasing process.

Guide you to an appropriate price point.

Negotiate on your behalf to get you the best deal – price, interest rates, loan approval.

Keep you informed and updated of the entire financial process throughout your purchase.

Step 4: Find Your Home

So you’ve met with your trusted advisors, and now you’re ready to begin your search. But how or where do you start? There are a lot of homes out there, and diving in without a guide can become overwhelming and confusing. Your Attentive Real Estate agent will help you more accurately pinpoint homes that fit your criteria. The right home will meet all your important needs, and as many of your additional wants as possible.

Some questions you might ask yourself include:

What amenities are crucial for you and your family?

What are my must haves- and my would like haves?

How much space do you need and why?

Which is more critical: location or size?

Would you be interested in a fixer-upper?

How important is home value appreciation?

Is neighborhood stability a priority?

Is accessibility to main routes a priority?

What features are not negotiable in your new property?

You’ll learn as you look at homes, your priorities will probably adjust along the way.

Would You Like to View Homes In Order To Get An Idea What’s A Good Fit?Call Attentive Realty Now. (702) 562-1291

Step 5: Make an Offer

Once we found a home you love, the next step is deciding on a price. It’s important to remember that a home is an investment. Your agent can give you information on other properties in the neighborhood to help you ensure you make an informed decision when it comes to price. Look to your agent to explain and guide you through the offer process.

Some things to consider when deciding on the best price point are:

List price – Start with the price point that the home is listed at. This will give you a base when looking at the home’s value.

Market Analysis – Your agent will give you an idea of comparable home values in the neighborhood to help you decide if the price point is on par.

Improvements – Your agent can give you a list of improvements made to the home and help you determine its market value.

Now we have made an offer on the home of YOUR Dream.

Now we have an accepted offer and all excitement can begin.

What is our next step?

Trying to Determine What Price to Offer for a Home?Call Attentive Realty Now. (702) 562-1291

Step 6: Perform Due Diligence

Your agent will provide you with improvements and challenges within your home. This way you’ll know what you are getting into before you complete the purchase.

Knowing what work has and has not been done to your home is important information to have in the buying process. While updates can increase your home value, damages can take money out of your pocket. Your main concern is the possibility of structural damage, which can come from water, shifting ground or poor construction.

Very often a problem appears to be big, but can be fixed with very little effort and not a huge budget.

Trying to Discover to True Condition of the Home You’d Like to Purchase?Call Attentive Realty Now. (702) 562-1291

Step 7: Close

Once you’ve determined a price point you’re comfortable with, you’re in the “home” stretch! But, in order to ensure that you don’t put the property purchase at risk, you have a couple responsibilities that you’ll need to keep in mind:

Staying in control of your credit and finances – Do not make any large purchases during this time. It’s important to keep your financials steady throughout the buying process. Talk to your financial consultant for guidance.

Keeping in touch with your agent and financial consultant – It’s important to stay in constant communication with your Attentive Realty agent and financial guide during this process. Be sure to return all phone calls and complete paperwork promptly. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your team is there to help you!

Ready to Close On The Home You’ve Decided to Purchase?Call Attentive Realty Now. (702) 562-1291

Step 8: Protect Your Investment

Congratulations, and welcome home! The home-buying process is complete, which means it’s time for your maintenance plan! It’s now your responsibility, and in your best financial interest, to protect your investment for years to come. Performing routine maintenance on your home’s systems is always more affordable than having to fix big problems later. Be sure to watch for signs of leaks, damage and wear.

And remember, just because the sale is complete, your relationship with your Attentive Realty agent doesn’t end here, we are after all Family now! After you buy, your agent can still help you – providing information on the real estate market, finding contractors and repair services, and even tracking your home’s current value.

]]>Selling your home in Las Vegas means placing these top 10 “To-Do” items on your checklist.

Selling Your Home In Las Vegas “To-Do” #1: Enlist a Realtor

Selling your home in Las Vegas can be a confusing, complicated process. You’ll be dealing with financing, marketing, inspections, forms, pricing and negotiating, just to mention a few items. At every step of the process, a professional Realtor can save you time and expensive mistakes. Consider the difference between navigating the “to-do” list below on your own vs. having a professional Realtor guide you each step of the way.

If you haven’t sold a home in the past 10 years, you’ll be surprised and quite possibly intimidated as you’re confronted with new environmental issues, more complex forms and detailed seller disclosure statements.

We at Attentive Realty & Property Management are here to assist you at every point in the home selling process. You may have spoken to friends and family who are ready to give you advice on your home sale based on their recent experience selling their home. Take this advice with a grain of salt, knowing that each home sale is unique and requires a customized strategy.

A good Realtor will create a strategy for your home sell that minimizes your stress and maximizes your return on this, your largest single investment. They’ll work through your “to-do” list so you don’t have to. In the process, a good Realtor help you through the emotional issues that take many home sellers by surprise.

So make enlisting a good professional Realtor your first home seller’s “to-do” item.

Looking for a Realtor to Help You Find the Best Home? Call Attentive Realty Now: (702) 562-1291

Selling Your Home In Las Vegas “To-Do” #2: Count the Cost

How much is your home worth? This can be both a logical and a highly emotional question. On the emotional side, you’ve had many significant life experiences in your home, and have likely made some improvements over the years, some very costly. As you made the improvements you imagined how they would increase the value of your home. You’re looking for a buyer who will appreciate your home as you do.

On the rational side, we start with the market value which is determined by the selling price of recently sold nearby homes. We add to that the actual expense you will incur in the process of selling your home. This includes such factors as the Realtor’s commission, taxes, the cost of advertising and completing necessary reports, such as the property inspection.

An additional price-influencing factor is urgency. How soon do you need to sell your home? Is another home purchase contingent on selling your home? Do you need to move to another city in order to pursue a career move, and you have a starting date? Will you be pricing your home to sell quickly, or can you take your time?

An experienced professional Realtor will take all these factors and more into consideration, and help you arrive at an appropriate asking price.

Selling Your Home In Las Vegas “To-Do” #3: Set A Price the Will Give You the Best ROI

Now that you have all the price setting factors on the table, setting the right price will involve some experimentation and negotiation. Your Realtor will keep an experienced eye on the market and on the activity you receive at the initial asking price, then suggest adjusting the asking price to influence a result that most supports your goals.

If your home is priced too high, your may end up on the market longer. The longer your home is on the market, buyers begin to wonder why it’s not selling, if there is something wrong with the home. The price may begin to drop.

If your home is priced too low, you may sell more quickly, but you’ll end up getting a lower return on your investment.

Your buyer is confronted with a confusing array of homes for sale. How will you set your home apart from the others, and in particular, get it in front of the type of buyer who is likely to recognize and pay for it’s unique value? The answer is targeted market exposure.

Your Realtor will create a marketing plan for your home, but it’s important that you work as a team because the success of the plan will require the support of both you and your Realtor.

Here are a few important factors for successfully marketing your home:

An MLS (Multiple Listing Service) listing that attractively stands out to the type of buyer you’re seeking and supports the value of your home. For example, there are many homes with great views, yet the MLS listing says nothing of the view!

Effective marketing to local magazines and websites. An experienced Realtor will know the publications home buyers are most likely to read, and how to create the best impression of your home in those publications.

Marketing to Property Owners looking for homes and Tenants whose lease is up for renewal.

Networking with brokers, both local and out of town.

Making it possible for buyers to view the home by providing brokers with lock box access, and communicating as necessary.

Effectively marketing and staging open houses.

Following up with open house visitors.

Replying to people who respond to ads and web postings.

Keeping current with the latest market research and trends (i.e. where and when is a particular home owner likely to purchase a new home).

Guiding the preparation of a home for showing to its market (curb side appeal, staging…etc.)

Want to Market Your Home to Receive the Best Offer? Call Attentive Realty Now: (702) 562-1291

How to boost the curb appeal of your home:

A fresh coat of paint in the path a home viewer would walk (wooden fences, front door, porch, railings…etc).

Clean windows, “invisible glass”.

Clean, freshly painted or washed home exterior.

Gutters well attached and in excellent working condition.

Clean up all clutter, making all counters, shelf spaces, tables and storage spaces neat and well kept.

Those are just to mention a few. Each Home is different and we are here to help you to stage your home so it looks like not only you feel the warmth of your home but the future buyer can see and feel how they will make it their future home.

Want to Create A Curb Appeal That Will Attract Home Buyers?Call Attentive Realty Now: (702) 562-1291

Selling Your Home In Las Vegas “To-Do” #6: Stage Your Home to Sell

Did you know well-placed furniture can open up rooms and make them seem larger than they are? Or, that opening drapes and blinds and turning on lights make a room seem bright and cheery? It’s true, which is why staging your home to look its absolute best is an important factor in the selling process.

Here are some inexpensive ways to highlight your home’s best features:

Clean or paint walls and ceilings.

Clean all flooring and fixtures – lights, fans.

Repair all plumbing leaks

Remove excessive wall hangings, furniture and extra personal goods.

Turn on all lights and open the drapes during the daytime.

Play quiet background music and infuse your home with a comforting scent.

Vacate the property when and if it’s being show to prospective buyers.

Looking for a Realtor to Help You Stage Your Home? Call Attentive Realty Now: (702) 562-1291

Selling Your Home In Las Vegas “To-Do” #7: List the Top Accessibility Features

Accessibility is a major issue in many parts of the world. Again you cannot do anything about your home’s accessibility to specific things, but it does play a role in the price of your property. We will work with you to highlight the places of interest that are most accessible to your home.

Here are a few important accessibility factors to think about:

Public transportation

Main roads

Shopping centers

Schools and other educational institutions

Outdoor areas – public pools, parks, playgrounds

Entertainment

Want to Create a List of Best Accessibility Features for Your Home? Call Attentive Realty Now: (702) 562-1291

We will walk you through the entire portion that is in the real estate offer.

Perhaps the most complex moment in the sales process comes when you get an offer for your home. Whether you have one offer or several to consider, these tips will help you navigate the negotiation.

In most situations it is possible where each side gets something of value. Real estate bargaining typically involves compromises by both sides. Negotiating should be seen as a natural business process; buyers should be treated with respect; and owners should never lose sight of either their best interests or their baseline transaction requirements. These are the standards unique to each owner, which must be met before the home can be sold. Our mission is to have a acceptable offer that both sides will agree to.

When you have a signed contract with the buyer for your home, you may feel as if you can breathe a sigh of relief. But before you can completely relax you need to get to the settlement table.

Now starts the most complex aspects of a real estate transaction.

A sale agreement sets not only a purchase price for the home, but also a series of terms and conditions.

Contracts routinely depend on the ability of a buyer to obtain financing, which is why most sellers prefer buyers with preapproval letters from lenders.

A growing percentage of transactions involve a home inspection, or a physical review of the home by a trained and independent observer.

Lenders will establish numerous conditions before granting a loan. They will want a title exam, title insurance to protect against title errors, termite inspections, surveys and an appraisal to assure that the home has sufficient value to secure the loan.

The REALTOR® typically arranges required inspections and helps the owner prepare for closing.

With automation now available, closings can occur within a week in some areas — at least in theory. In practice, it takes time to arrange financing, conduct inspections, obtain appraisals, locate replacement housing, contact movers, pack and actually move.

While instant closings are not practical, neither are closings too far in the future. The problem with closings many past 60 days is that loan rates are difficult to lock in. If mortgage rates go up, it’s possible that the buyer will no longer be able to afford the home and thus the deal may fall through.

The result of these considerations is that most homes close 30 to 45 days after a sale agreement has been signed.

Some of the activities required to sell your home can actually help with the moving process. For example, by cleaning out closets, the basement, and the attic, you will have less to do once the home is under contract. We are here to assist you to keep up with your end of Sales contract.

Moving is a big job and checklists can make it more organized and easier. Here are some of the major items to consider:

Make a checklist.

On the top of your List

Attentive Realty & Property Management

Need help we have experience in helping you with your relocation

Our Military background is very helpful to overcome lots of different obstacles

Money. If you’re moving more than a few miles then you should have enough cash or credit to cover travel, food, transportation and lodging.

Medicine. Keep medicines and related prescriptions in a place where they will be available during the move.

Number boxes so that all items can be counted on arrival. Make a list of boxes by number and indicate their contents.

If moving with children, make sure that each has a favorite toy or toys, blankets, games, music and other goods.